"The AFC West is where I get a bit radical. I’ve got the Chargers first, Kansas City second, Denver third and the Raiders with a top-four draft choice next year. K.C. and the Broncos will both be wild cards, and if QB Philip Rivers is serviceable or better — and it says here he’ll be better — the Chargers will represent the AFC in the Super Bowl."

The AFC West is where I get a bit radical. I’ve got the Chargers first, Kansas City second, Denver third and the Raiders with a top-four draft choice next year. K.C. and the Broncos will both be wild cards, and if QB Philip Rivers is serviceable or better — and it says here he’ll be better — the Chargers will represent the AFC in the Super Bowl.

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I do like the Panthers to knock off the Chargers in the Super Bowl, and for that to happen, Peppers will emerge as the Defensive MVP in a very tight battle with the reigning studs, Bears MLB Brian Urlacher and Chargers OLB Shawne Merriman. Peyton Manning is always a safe bet as Offensive MVP, but I think LaDainian Tomlinson is a better bet on the road to a Super Bowl berth.